By Lydia Ngoolo
As learning resumes after a long holiday that was prompted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 in March 2020, things did not work as expected at Ngiluni Primary School in Kibwezi sub-county, Makueni County due to rampant human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Only 18 out of 248 pupils reported to school due to the fear of being attacked by wild animals from Tsavo West National Park.
Speaking to the press, school head Magdalene Mutuku revealed that she was expecting learning to resume as directed by the government but parents retained their children citing dangers that lurk behind the stray wild animals which have been reportedly maiming and killing residents in broad daylight.
“Apart from struggling with the Covid-19 challenges like shortage of desks, water and classrooms, elephant attacks are major challenges in the school,” she noted.
In a meeting that was convened in response to the havoc, Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu asked the government to intervene and put in place measures that will bring to an end worries brought about by the wild animals in the area.
On Saturday, a resident called Charles Mutinda was killed by an elephant.
The animals which have been giving residents sleepless nights include elephants, hyenas, cheetahs, buffalos, lions, crocodiles, hypos from River Athi, poisonous snakes among other dangerous animals that have left many dead while others with serious lifetime injuries.
